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Through the first five games of the CFL season, Chris Matthews has seemingly been stuck in neutral.

After missing the past two games with a back strain, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers dangerous receiver is ready to return to the lineup against the B.C. Lions and would love to break out with a big game.

With only six catches for 76 yards and one touchdown in three games, Matthews is due for a breakout contest.

But if Matthews is frustrated by his minimal offensive impact to this point, he's hiding it well.

"It's not my time yet, that's basically what it is," said Matthews, who had 81 catches for 1,192 yards and seven majors last season. "Once my name is called, then I'll be able to do what I can for the team. We've got a lot of games left."

Blue Bombers head coach Tim Burke believes it's only a matter of time before Matthews showcases the form that helped him win CFL rookie of the year honours in 2012.

"I know one thing, we're going to try to get him the ball a lot more," said Burke. "We really missed his presence out the the last couple of weeks. He goes up and gets the ball, he runs really good routes, he's a big target.

"Sometimes when you don't have someone (in the lineup), you realize how much you miss him. I'm hoping he'll have a big game this week and then will be on a roll after that."

LUCAS LOST

The Blue Bombes will be without non-import defensive tackle Ryan Lucas for a month, Burke told reporters on Friday.

Lucas was on the receiving end of a questionable hit from Calgary Stampeders left guard Jon Gott during the second half of last Friday's 37-24 loss at Investors Group Field and suffered a partially torn quadriceps.

When asked if he was surprised that no supplemental discipline was handed out by the CFL on the play, Burke bit his tongue but it wasn't difficult to read between the lines.

"I'm not going to get fined for making a comment," said Burke. "I don't make enough money to get fined that big."

PALARDY SHAKEN UP

Blue Bombers kicker Justin Palardy took a football to the face during practice after quarterback Justin Goltz's pass sailed over the head of Matthews, caromed off the turf and caught Palardy square in the nose and drew some blood.

"He just had his pride hurt," said Burke, when asked if Palardy was okay.

Palardy went to the locker room for repairs and returned to nail a couple of long kicks including a 48-yarder before his day was done.

PROPS FOR WINNIPEGGER

One of the many challenges the Blue Bombers' defence -- which surrendered 490 yards of total offence to the Stampeders last week -- faces this week is trying to limit the production of running back Andrew Harris, a proud Winnipegger who played junior football with the Victoria Island Raiders before making the CFL.

"He's a really good player, I think he's obviously one of the top backs in the league," said Burke. "He's so versatile. He can run inside, he can run outside, he catches the ball well. He leaps over tall buildings. He's that kind of guy.

"How do we control him? We have to do our jobs defensively, as far as plugging the holes."

Bombers' Matthews hoping for breakout game in return to lineup

Through the first five games of the CFL season, Chris Matthews has seemingly been stuck in neutral.

After missing the past two games with a back strain, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers dangerous receiver is ready to return to the lineup against the B.C. Lions and would love to break out with a big game.

With only six catches for 76 yards and one touchdown in three games, Matthews is due for a breakout contest.

But if Matthews is frustrated by his minimal offensive impact to this point, he's hiding it well.

"It's not my time yet, that's basically what it is," said Matthews, who had 81 catches for 1,192 yards and seven majors last season. "Once my name is called, then I'll be able to do what I can for the team. We've got a lot of games left."

Blue Bombers head coach Tim Burke believes it's only a matter of time before Matthews showcases the form that helped him win CFL rookie of the year honours in 2012.